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    © All Rights Reserved
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    254 views7 pages

    Caliper

    Uploaded by

    Wilson Guachamin
    caliper

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    of 7
    4 CALIPER LOGS Caliper tools measure hole size and shape. The simple mechanical caliper measures a vertical profile of hole iameter (Figure 4.1). The more sophisticated borehole geometry tools record 1wo simultaneous calipers and give an accurate borehole shape and orientation. 4.1 Mechanleal calipers - the tools ‘The mechanical caliper measures variations in borehole diameter with depth, ‘The measurements are made by two articulated arms pushed against the borehole wall ‘The arms are linked to the cursor of variable resistance (Figure 4.2). Lateral movement of the arms is (ranslated into movements of the cursor along the resistance, and hence variations in electrical ovtput. The variations in output are translated into diameter variations after @ SHALE apo Limestone FE BED. PERMEABLE SANDSTONE IMPERMEABLE «SANDSTONE SHALE imple calibration. Frequently logging tools are automat- ically equipped with a caliper, such as the micrologs (Chapter 6) and the density-neutron tools (Chapters 9, 10) where the caliper arm is used to apply the measuring, head of the tool to the borehole wall. Sophisticated, dual caliper tools, sueh as the Borehole Geometry Tool of Schluenberger, also exist specifically for measuring hole size and volume. However, today, such information is generally taken from dipmeter tools, which acquire eometry data in order to derive dip (Chapter 12). These tools have four pads fixed at right angles, opposite pairs being linked but independent of the perpendicular , in terms of geometry, gives two independent calipers at 90°. The tool also contains gyroscopic orienta ‘Gon equipment so that the azimuth (bearing) of the two calipers is permanently defined HOLE DIAMETER Seas; Inonee ———» poe ‘caved hole" ‘on gauge’ ‘mud cake thickness = calined/2 "bac hole! or “right spot’ Figure 4.1 The caliper log showing hole diameter: some typical responses. “Limestone, dolomite, eX. equally applicable. %6 = CALIPER cate to vase Figure 4.2 Schematic caliper tool showing the conversion of a ‘mechanical movement to an electrical signal sing a variable resistance, (Adapted from Serra, 1979) 4.2, Log presentations ‘The caliper log is printed out simply as a continuous value of hole diameter with depth Figure 4.3). The curve is traditionally a dashed Tine and usually ploted in track 1. The horizontal soale may be inches af diameter or, in the differential caliper, expressed as increase or deerease in hole diameter about a zer0 defined by the bit size (Figure 4.3). The otdinary caliper log is accompanied by reference line indicating bit size. ‘The geometrical data from four-arm, dual-caliper tools such as the dipmeter are presented in various formats, 2. DIFFERENTIAL GAUIFER oho v IT “Hop “oh Figure 4.3 Presentation of vie caliper log: (1, in ordinary Format: (2), im differen format. BS =bitsize a Loos - only one of which is shown (Figure 4:4), The two hole diameters measured by the two calipers are combined with the directional elements of tool orientation (pad 1 azimuth), bole deviation and azimuth of the deviation. An integrated hole volume may be added as horizontal ticks on the depth column giving a continaous record of hole volume (not on the example). ‘The calipers of the example presented (Figure 4.4), show the geometry tool turning slowly as it moves upwards in a persistently oval hole with a small diameter ‘of approximately 9” and a large diameter of approx: imately 11", The larger diameter is oriented nearly north to south as indicated by the pad I azimuth over the depth 0-15 m (cabipers 1-3 in larger diameter). At depth 30m, calipers 2-4 show the larger radius (approx. 11°}, calipers 1-3 the smaller (approx. 9°), The rotation of the too} is indicated by the persistent change in the pad 1 azisnuth ‘nd explains the caliper cross-over at depth 17 m (where both calipers show the same diameter but the hole is sill oval). Above this, calipers 1-3 follow the larger diameter (approx. 11"), while calipers 2-4 follow the smaller (approx. 9°). BOREHOLE GEOMETRY LOG DEVE TO8 AE ArLOES) | pa a tension sounds) Figure 44 Borchole geomeur log presentation (see text for explanation) ~ THE GEOLOCICAL INTERPRETATION OF WELL LOGS - 4.3 Simple, two-arm, caliper interpretation Increase in borehole diameter ‘The simple caliper log records the mechanical response of formations to drilling. A hole that has the same size (diameter) as the it which drilled itis called on gauge igure 4.1), On gauge holes are the target for al drilling and essentially indicate good drilling technique. Holes ‘with a much larger diameter than the bit size are ‘caved” ‘oc ‘washed ou’. That is, during deepening of the hole, the borehole walls cave in, are broken by the turning. drill pipe, or are eroded away by the circulating borehole mud. ‘This is typical of shales, especially when geologically young and unconsolidated, so that caving can have a eneral lithological significance (Figure 4.3). However, caving is also typical of certain specific lithologies such as coals or even organic shales. In some fields, even with varied drilling fluids and drilling techniques, itis found thet certain stratigraphic levels habitually cave - generally for mechanical (textural) reasons. The example (Figure 4.5) shows a section of Carboniferous shale from the UK Bast Midlands in which ‘moderate caving occurs in the same organic rich interval, cover a wide area. The shale is either very laminated oF locally fracture. Decrease in borehole diameter Calipers may show a hole diameter smaller than the Dil size (diameter). If the log has a smooth profile, & Well 7 GR 8 to ago 85 yo CALIPER 4, 8. | _-calne on ~ HEB orgenic ich shale v0 5° CALIPER, ,. 85° yo: CALIPER .. mud-cake build-up is indicated (Figure 4.62). This is an extremely useful indicator of permeability: only permeable beds allow mud cake to form. The limits of mud-cake indicate clearly the limits of the potential reservoir, Mud cake thickness can be estimated from the caliper by dividing the decrease in hole size by two (the caliper giving the hole diameter), i. bit size (diam) ~caliper reading (diam) 2 = owl cake thickness It should be remembered that this thickness may vary between tools. The caliper of a density tool is applied hharder to the formation than the caliper of a micro-log: the former probably causes a groove in the mud cake and therefore gives a thinner, log derived mud-cake thickness. Boreholes with a smaller diameter than the bit size but rugose, are probably sloughed (Figure 4.68), The zones ‘of small holes will be the ‘tight spots’ encountered during tilling, trips or logging. That is, it will be at these points that tools stick or the bit gets stuck while being pulled out of the hole. A frequent cause of tight spots is abundant smectite in the clay mineral mixture, Smectite is @ swelling clay which takes water from the drilling mud, expands, breaks from the formation and sloughs or col- lapses into the hole. The Gulf Coast ‘gumbo’, which often causes hole problems. is smectite rich. Well 2 GR GR 10180 go 100 150 Figure 4.5 Consisteot ceving, indicated on the caliper log, over the same, organic rich, strstigraphie level in three different wells Upper Carboniferous, East Midlands, U.K. 28 cauiPER inches. caliper ~ CALIPER LOGS - urHovoay “~ porous and permeable sandotonoe ~ B bit zo 900m ‘960m DIFF. CALIPER Figure 4.6 Hole size diminoton seen on the simple caliper. (A) Mud-cake build-up opposite porous and permeable sandstones, (B) Tight spots in a shale sequence caused by hole sloughing due o swelling clays vale Ee ef. 5 wcerewnsaie } a c 7 pik é and NOT REAL 4 ct : mae 5 & : Sao) wien ta pe Figure 4.7 Poor hole conditions and caving creating zones of poor dats quality where iog readings do net represent real formation values. The automatic density corection derived ftom the ealiper is insufficient ce compensate for the large caves at around 700r%, ‘The density and sonic logs suggest a formation change at 690m. but the interval is homogeneous from lop (0 bottom, being poorly ‘consolidated clay/shales. 29 urioLoay = THE GEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION OF WELL LOGS ~ Quatity control using the caliper With the simple, two arm calipers one extremely important use is in the quality control of logs in general. ‘When caving is serious, the quality of log readings is impaired, In some tools, such as the micrologs, a caliper is registered simply berause the tool sensors are pad ‘mounted. Lack of pad contact with the formation, a prob- Jem in rugose holes with pad-mounted tools, is quickly seen by using the caliper. In other tools, such as the for- mation density, the caliper reading is used for an automatic hole size and mudcake thickness correction for compensation (Chapter 9}, Caving will demand inordinately large corrections to many logs an the log values will be of litte use Is therefore essential (0 look al the caliper before using any logs (Figure 4.7) However, it should be pointed out that the simple caliper attached to the open hole tools such as the rnierologs and the formation density, will generally be pessimistic in terms of hole condition, because in oval hholes a simple caliper will naturally open to the maxi- mum diameter of the borehole (Figure 4.8). And although the log measurements rezorded will be made actoss the larger diameter, the hole condition itself is not as bad as may first appear. x | oipmcren |] FORMATION Ey caters ||” oensirv | |, enuren, | soon EY ey 3]! i | x 980m eve] ere] oa | ln dott ; Loy be yy | ee 4 7020" dos trad coke . Figure 4.8 Comparison between the simple caliper ofthe formation density to! snd the two-arm caliper of the dipmeter ‘oa! in an oval hole. The simple ealiper normally ‘extends tthe long axis ip an oval hole, Diemer 30 4.4 Four-arm caliper interpretation Breckouts ‘A great deal more information can be gained from dual caliper tools than from the simple caliper tool. As indicated above, dual caliper information is genesally taken from the four-arm dipmeter tool, ‘Using just a single caliper, borehole shape cannot be interpreted. Date from a four arm caliper bowever, ‘enables the shape of s hole to be muct better defined. A hole can be seen to be “on gauge’ and round (Figure 4.94) ‘or oval and ‘washed out’ (Figure 4.9c) or enlarged by a “key seat’ (Figure 4.96). When oval. the direction of enlargement can be given. However, much more can be intespteted from borehole shape. Catia noronse Bi size bn Gouge Key Seat } == Washout a Breakout Figure 4.9 Diagrammatic representation of types of borebole ‘Shape ang profil as identified on the rwo-arm caliper. a. Round, in-gauge hole. b. Key seat hole enlargement at & ddogleg. c. Washout hole enlargement duc to general drilling ‘wear. d. Breakont, showing characteristic oval hole with abrupt vertical limits (redrawn, modified from Plumb and Hickman, 1985), aon = CALIPER LOGS ~ ‘Three main types of elliptical borehole have been recognized, “keyseats’, ‘washouts’ and. “breakouts* (Figure 4.9), Washouts develop from general drilling, ‘wear, especially in shaly zones and dipping beds. On the geometry logs, a washout has a considerable vertical extent and both calipers are larger than the drill bit size with one caliper being much larger than the other. Shape charges are variable and gradual (Figeres 4.9¢; 4.10,2) Keyseats are asymmetric oval holes, formed by wear against the drill string at points where the borehole inclination changes (Goglegs) (Figure 4.96). Both washouts and keyseats are general diilling phenomena: breakouts, however, have a specifi cause. Breakouts are recognised using the following strict criteria (Figure 4.11) (ve. Bel, 1990) 1. The tool must stop rotating (ideally the tool should rotate before and after a breakout zone}. 2. The calipers must separate to indicate an oval hole. ‘The larger caliper should exceed hole gauge: the smaller caliper should not be less than bole gauge and its trace should be straight (the caliper difference should be larger than 6 mm_and the zone of elongation greater than 1.5 m). The limits of the breakout should normally be well marked, 3. The larger diameter of hole elongation and its direction should not consistently coincide with the azimuth of hole deviation, Breakouts are considered to form as a the result of the interaction of stresses induced by driling and the existing, 1.BREAKOUTS 2.WASHOUTS So Se] Teel a] i 7 | | K Figure 4.10 Field examples of hole size enlargement seen on the two-arm, dual caliper. 1, Breakouts, seen as well-defined, ‘oval hole developments, 2. Washouts, seen as generalised tole ovalty, Hole diameter sncreases tothe left (from Cox, 1989, 31 stress regime of the country rock (Bell and Gough, 1979), Small brittle fractures (spalling) occur in the bore~ hole around & rotating bit which, if there is unequal horizontal stress in the formation, form in a preferential direction, that of the minimum horizontal stress. St, (Figure 4.12, a). In more precise termas, compressive shear fracturing of the borehole wall is localised in the direction of the minimum horizontal formation sbiess Si, and is the cause of breakouts (Bell, 1990). Laboratory experiments and empirical observations seem to back up the theory (see Prensky, 1992b for a review and references), Hence, breakouts indicate the present day stressficld orientation and are independent of lith- ‘ology, dip and existing fractures or joints, Breakout studies to define in-situ stress fields are now being carried out on many scales from the local to the lobal, On the global scale, breakout derived suess-feld ‘orientations are similar to those derived from earthquake studies and tend to indicate intra-plate tectonic stresses (Zoback 27 ai, 1989), On a local scale, breakout studies have an importance for field development (Figure 4.13). Natural and artificial fractures are most Likely to be oriented jn the maximum horizontal stress direction Sh. Ge. normal to breakouts) (Figure 4.12.6). Fracture connection between wells during field production is then more likely in this oriestation (Bell, 1990). It is also possible that horizontal drilling will be more stable in the Shing, (tnaxirnum horizontal stiess) direction (Hills and Williams. 1992). ‘por extensions ‘vm 24 13 Breakout

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